UGA Specific Information for Horticulture

Horticulture is at the nexus of many of the solutions for problems facing the world today. Horticulture is sustainably growing fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs to feed and heal a hungry population. Horticulture is rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and hydroponics to conserve water in greenhouses, nurseries, and home landscapes.  Horticulture is mapping genes, breeding, and cloning to help plants grow more efficiently, look prettier, and resist pests. Horticulture is using new technologies like LED lighting and environmental sensors to save energy and grow plants in new places, like outer space. Horticulture is preserving and protecting our native plant ecosystems. Horticulture crops brighten our day with fresh bouquets and colorful landscapes. Horticulture is helping others, at home, and around the world, who are less fortunate. Horticulture is a starting point for an exciting career and life-long pursuit that will stay with you no matter where in the world you go and whichever path your life takes.

Horticulture graduates find jobs in all aspects of sustainable food production, greenhouse management, plant breeding, nursery, landscape design, gardens, and urban environments, native plant restoration, and medicinal herb cultivation. Many choose the education side of horticulture and become county agents, agriculture teachers, botanical garden educators, or horticulture therapists. The horticulture degree can also be an excellent foundation for graduate work or professional degree programs.



Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Horticulture*

** Includes Self-Employed


Campus Resources

UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Clubs and Organizations​​​​​​​

To find additional clubs and organizations, go to the Center for Student Organizations 

Connect with your Career Consultant for guidance and support.


Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

Typical Horticulture Jobs

Horticulturists can specialize in a number of fields. As a result, what you will actually be doing in your job will vary depending on the field you are in. A few areas you can specialize in include: 

  • Landscaping: Designing and maintaining commercial and residential grounds using your eye for design and knowledge of irrigation, plants, flowers, and trees.
  • Nurseries: People in this profession grow plants from seedlings and make sure they make it through their entire lifecycle.
  • Research: In this field, you may study plant genetics or develop plants that have natural immunity to diseases and resist environmental damage.
  • Horticultural Therapy: You would use your knowledge of plants and design to help patients with cognitive and physical disabilities. There are many other areas that may be more or less appealing to you. It is best to determine what your interests are and find the area of specialty that fits your preferences

Other Horticultural Fields

If you are a highly creative person but landscaping just doesn’t appeal to you, you can become a floral designer. People in these jobs use their eye for art and design to create colorful floral arrangements for a variety of events like funerals, weddings, and anniversaries. No formal education is required to enter the field, though you can earn a number of credentials to prove your expertise. Those with horticulture degrees would do very well in this field since you will be cultivating and maintaining an assortment of flora. There is a high turnover rate in floral design, so job opportunities will be plentiful.

Another interesting horticulture career is botany. This is for people who are deeply interested in how plants work. Botanists don’t get their hands dirty handling plants. Rather, they study their inner workings and may specialize in plant diseases, the life cycle, or how plants interact with their environment. You can get started in the field with just a bachelor’s degree, but most high-level positions require a master’s or doctorate degree. Unfortunately, job opportunities are limited because the field of botany is so small.

There are numerous opportunities in horticulture. Follow your passions for a rewarding career.

If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree, check out our website for assistance with this process


Additional Career Research Resources

  • O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  
  • My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  
  • Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  
  • Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  
  • UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  
  • Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 
  • Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  
  • Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.


Employment Websites

GENERAL:

  • Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  
  • LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 
  • Idealist (non-profit jobs) 
  • USAJobs (federal jobs)

MAJOR/CAREER SPECIFIC:


Professional Associations/Resources

Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. Need help finding groups? Check out the Groups You May Like link under the Interests/Groups tab. Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well. 


Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Horticulture majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
Atlanta Botanical Garden Assistant Horticulturalist
Hop Head Farms Position Not Specified
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Site Intern
Private Farm & Garden Estate Gardener
University of Georgia Soybean Research Professional
University of Georgia Research Technician
* denotes no responses received.

*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2023 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Horticulture majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
University of Georgia Plant Pathology, Degree Not Specified
* denotes no responses received.